NEWS FROM FOUR RIVERS
May 7, 2019
Celebrate National Poetry Month and Jazz Appreciation Month with the Banneker Douglass Museum
As both, National Poetry Month and Jazz Appreciation month come to an end, the Banneker Douglass Museum would like to reflect on Maryland's historical connections to the jazz and poetry scenes.

Jazz in Maryland
Baltimore City has always been at the forefront of the jazz music industry. Renowned performer and producer Eubie Blake, known for his contributions to jazz and ragtime would put Baltimore on the map in the early 20th century. The city would later go on to become a frequent stop for such jazz legends as Chick Webb, Billie Holiday and Cab Calloway. Historical landmarks such as the Royal Theatre and Baltimore Street served as a hub for both local and national performers.

Maryland continues to celebrate the history of jazz by hosting multiple festivals and cultural events throughout year, most notable of which is the Capital Jazz Fest. Founded in 1993, this musical event has hosted everyone from Maryland’s own, Toni Braxton to Anita Baker.

Maryland Poetry Laureate: Lucille Clifton
Since 1959, the Governor has been authorized to appoint a citizen of the state as Poet Laureate of Maryland. In its 60 years, the Maryland Poet Laureate position has only been held by one African American, Ms. Lucille Clifton. In 1971, Ms. Clifton became a writer in residence at Coppin State College in Baltimore, MD. While there, she authored two collections: Good News About the Earth and An Ordinary Woman. For the next three decades, Ms. Clifton would go on to author multiple books and receive dubious honors, such as the National Book Award, the Juniper Prize and a nomination for a Pulitzer Prize. Aside from her more serious work, Clifton also authored over 16 children's books geared towards young people of African descent.

Ms. Clifton served as Maryland's Poet Laureate from 1979 to 1985 and was chosen by her peers to direct the Academy of American Poets in 1999. She lived in Baltimore City until she passed away from cancer in 2010.
Jane Austen Tour at the Hammond-Harwood House
Wednesday, May 8
12:00 pm
Hammond-Harwood House
19 Maryland Ave, Annapolis

Take a tour of the Hammond-Harwood House that compares the customs and social graces of the Loockerman family, who lived in the house in the early 19th century, with those of characters in Jane Austen novels. Learn more here .

$10 per person/Members Free. For reservations, please call 410-263-4683×10 or email info@hammondharwoodhouse.org
This Week's Muddy Creek Artists Guild Spring Art Show Dates
More than 40 of Muddy Creek’s local artists from Southern Anne Arundel County will show artwork at this “pop up” community art show and sale in Edgewater. This year we have invited past members to show their work alongside our current members to commemorate the art of Muddy Creek Artists from the past 10 years. The show will include artwork in a wide variety of media, including original paintings, pastels, watercolor, photography, stained glass, sculpture, pottery, textiles, jewelry and mixed media. The Show is free and open to the public.

South River Colony Main Street, 161 Mitchells Chance Road, Edgewater

Show Hours:
Friday, May 10, opening the doors at 11am – 7pm
Saturday, May 11 opening at 10am – 9pm
Sunday, May 12 opening at 12pm – 5pm
ArchiTrex Tour with Watermark and Historic Annapolis
Saturday, May 11
10:00 am-12:00 pm
Tour departs from City Dock Information Booth, 1 Dock Street

The historic district of Annapolis is a museum without walls, a treasure trove of architecture and preservation. Celebrate and learn about the city’s most notable and celebrated examples of 17th and 18th century architecture on a two-hour walking tour, developed and led by local architects.

Cost: $22 Adults; $14 Children 3-11; Free for Children 2 and under. Register here.
William Paca Garden Plant Sale
Saturday, May 11, 10:00 am-4:00 am
Sunday, May 12, 12:00-4:00 pm
William Paca House and Garden
186 Prince George Street, Annapolis

A tradition for over 40 years, the William Paca Garden Plant Sale provides the opportunity to take home a piece of history. HA volunteers personally raise over 8,000 plants – perennials, annuals, trees, vines, and vegetable starts – that represent the best of the old and the new. From heirloom tomatoes to Thomas Jefferson’s favorite snail vine, from native trillium to the newly developed coneflower, “Butterfly Kisses,” you will find something here to delight.

Staff and volunteers are on-hand to answer your gardening questions. Proceeds go to support the programs of the William Paca ​Garden.

Cost: Free. Learn more here.
New Exhibit: "Strike for Freedom: Slavery, Civil War and the Frederick Douglass Family"
Strike for Freedom: Slavery, Civil War and the Frederick Douglass family in the Walter O. & Linda Evans Collection

Currently on display at the Taylor House Office Building. 6 Bladen St. Annapolis, MD
Location: 1st floor

This exhibition explores the life and work of Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) and his family. Rare manuscript images and photographs reveal untold tales of hope, despair, love, war and friendship in the lives of the Douglass family. Visitors will also catch a glimpse of Douglass’s time in Scotland. Committed to 'telling the story of the slave' and the 'strike for freedom', he was one of many anti-slavery campaigners to live and work in Scotland. Learn about Frederick Douglass’s time in that nation which influenced his journey from slavery to freedom. 

Please note: A valid photo ID is required to enter the House Office Building.
Shore Party Weekend Coming Soon!
Saturday, & Sunday, May 18 - 19
10:00 am-4:30pm
839 Londontown Rd, Edgewater

Join mariners as they recruit troops and abandon ship in the Colonial World!

Explore the maritime history of the South River with reenactors in costume, boats, and activities for the whole family. Join living history sailors to try your hand at rope making and seamanship, learn how sailors lived day to day, and experience the art and science of navigation. 

Ship’s Company   will demonstrate rope-making while the  Appin Regiment  will lead hearth cooking. Check out the H.M. Frigate Seahorse for navigation demonstrations, and see  Seneca Creek Joinery  doing carpentry. Free costume rentals are available to children, and a tavern sing-a-long for everyone!

​At 2pm on Saturday, May 18th as part of Shore Party weekend, Daniel J. Sieh will be giving a talk on "After the Chinese Taste": Asia and Asians in the the 18th Century English World. 

Asia and the Far East were already known for centuries in Europe, and held a treasure trove of goods that the British were only too keen to explore through commerce. This trade was far from being a one-sided exchange, it was a cultural dialogue between two very distinct cultures. Goods, ideas and people flowed through the sea routes established by the British East India Company and marked the beginning of a truly global age. 

Daniel J. Sieh is a living historian with over 8 years of experience working with historical museums throughout the East Coast. Previously, Daniel has worked at Colonial Williamsburg and later on at Claude Moore Colonial Farm as one of their interpreters. He graduated with a History degree from the College of William and Mary in 2016 and is currently pursuing a Master's degree from American University.

Included with general admission. Free for members. Learn more here.
Sign up to Exhibit at 2nd Annual SoMD Genealogy and History Conference
Sign up to be an Exhibitor at the 2nd Annual Southern Maryland Genealogy and History Fair Day Conference -- Join other History and Genealogy groups for a day of seminars, presentations, and more!

DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2019 
TIME: 7:30 AM-5:30 PM
WHERE: COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND, LA PLATA CAMPUS, BUSINESS & INDUSTRY BUILDING, 8730 MITCHELL ROAD, LA PLATA, MD 20640

Download the flyer here.

All registration forms and payments must be signed and sent in by June 1st, 2019. The Event Day Agenda schedule of activities and participants will follow as all slots become filled. 
Nominations for the Inaugural Youth Service Awards Now Open!
Nominations due Friday, June 7, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.

The Maryland Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism is now accepting nominations for the inaugural Youth Service Awards. The awards will recognize Maryland youth and youth groups, ages 11 to 18 years old for their significant volunteer contributions to the state and its citizens, and for working to change Maryland for the better. This year, the awards will represent outstanding service occurring in 2018 and 2019.

Up to 10 youth and youth groups will be selected to receive an award at a special ceremony in late summer. Learn more here .
Four Rivers Heritage Area | 410-222-1805 | heritage_area@aacounty.org | fourriversheritage.org